The ministry stressed that Vietnamese steel and aluminium products sold to the US are intended for use in civil construction, not for infrastructure or security-defence purposes, thus not affecting the US goal of ensuring its national security.

Moreover, Viet Nam’s steel and aluminium products account for just a marginal proportion of US imports of those products, and neither cause nor threaten to cause damage to the US steel and aluminium industries, the MoIT said.

The ministry will continue to keep close watch on the situation and consider subsequent actions to ensure the legitimate interests of Vietnamese enterprises, while maintaining the growing trend of the comprehensive partnership between Viet Nam and the US.

US President Donald Trump, on March 8, signed proclamations to impose a 25-per-cent tariff on imported steel and a 10-per-cent tariff on imported aluminum.